South Africa’s Bafana Bafana have named their 26-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with a major headline being the return of Percy Tau to international duty.
Key Highlights from the Squad Selection
✅ Percy Tau’s Long-Awaited Return
The Qatar-based forward, absent from the national team since June due to reported tensions with the coaching setup, is back as South Africa prepares for two crucial qualifiers:
📆 March 21 – vs Lesotho (Home) 🇿🇦
📆 March 25 – vs Benin (Away, Neutral Venue) 🇧🇯
Tau’s experience and attacking creativity will be crucial as Hugo Broos looks to secure six points and keep Bafana Bafana’s World Cup qualification hopes alive.
✅ Ronwen Williams & Lyle Foster Included Despite Concerns
🔹 Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns) – First-choice goalkeeper returns despite fitness concerns, showing Broos’ trust in his shot-stopping ability.
🔹 Lyle Foster (Burnley) – The Premier League striker makes the cut, despite struggling with injuries in recent months.
✅ Jayden Adams Earns Recall After Disciplinary Issues
The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder was dropped last October due to disciplinary reasons but now has a chance to prove himself.
✅ Bafana Bafana’s World Cup Hopes
South Africa is in a strong position in their qualifying group. Hugo Broos has emphasized the importance of winning these two games, hoping for favorable results elsewhere—especially in Nigeria’s matches.
South Africa’s 26-Man Squad for World Cup Qualifiers
🧤 Goalkeepers
- Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United)
- Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)
- Sydney Mobbie (SuperSport United)
🛡️ Defenders
- Grant Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- Thabo Molloisane (Stellenbosch FC)
- Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates)
- Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB, Romania)
- Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- Fawaaz Basadien (Stellenbosch FC)
- Tebogo Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns)
🎯 Midfielders
- Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates)
- Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City)
- Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates)
- Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- Elias Mokwana (Esperance de Tunis)
🔥 Forwards
- Lyle Foster (Burnley)
- Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- Percy Tau (Al Ahli, Qatar)
- Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates)
South Africa’s Road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup 🌍⚽
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🇿🇦 Can Percy Tau’s return inspire Bafana Bafana to victory?
💬 Do you think South Africa can qualify for the 2026 World Cup? Drop your thoughts below! 👇
